Quena Instructions  A quena is an Andean flute the principle is the same as the transverse flute, but the flute is held vertically.
 
A fine stream of air is aimed precisely at the bottom of the “U” shaped notch. 
 
 The lips are not pursed but held in a flat tight smile with just a narrow stream of air escaping from the very middle of the lips.  

The corners of the “U” shaped notch lightly touch where the red and white of the lips join. The other side of the mouthpiece locates firmly on top of the chin.

To find the note keep moving the quena.   Vary both the angle of the quena and the vertical positioning of the mouthpiece against the chin and lips and do not purse your lips.  You may also try moving your bottom jaw forwards.

In case of difficulty:

Relax:

Remember you have to think about at least three things at once. 

Use your left hand to block the thumb hole and the top three finger holes (this note is one of the easiest to blow)

The lips should be flat and shut as you try to force a stream of air out of the very centre.  You should be making dimples if you are squeezing your mouth shut from the edges correctly DO NOT PURSE  your lips it is easy to forget when  you start thinking about the positioning of the quena. 

Do not press the corners at the top of the “U” into your lips too hard. They should rest lightly at the bottom of the lip so that if you move the mouthpiece up or down it does so in relation to the lips, the opposite side of the top of the tube locates more firmly on the top of the chin.

MOVE THE QENA.  Pivot it through at least 45 degrees move the mouthpiece up and down very slightly.  KEEP MOVING IT UNTIL YOU DETECT A NOTE then home in on the right position.